First phase nucleation in silicon–transition-metal planar interfaces

Abstract

What is the first compound that nucleates in planar solid silicon–transition-metal binary couple reactions whose members form bulk equilibrium compounds? We propose, for couples annealed at low temperatures, the following simple rule: The first compound nucleated in planar binary reaction couples is the most stable congruently melting compound adjacent to the lowest-temperature eutectic on the bulk equilibrium phase diagram. The predictions of this rule are compared with experimental results.

Fabrication of FeSi and Fe3Si compounds by electron beam induced mixing of [Fe/Si]2 and [Fe3/Si]2 multilayers grown by focused electron beam induced deposition

“…In particular, F e 3 Si is a pseudo-Heusler alloy with D0 3 structure, equivalent to the L2 1 structure of full-Heusler compounds, which are predicted to be half-metallic [7,8]. Conventionally, the preparation of Fe-Si binary alloys takes place by means of solid-state reactions [9,10]. Alternatively, organometallic precursors were used to fabricate F e 3 Si and F e 5 Si 3 nanoparticles by pyrolysis [6] and iron silicides by chemical vapor deposition(CVD) [11].…”

Microstructure and Interdiffusion of Template-Synthesized Au/Sn/Au Junction Nanowires

“…21 The formation of the AuSn intermetallic phase at the junction is in agreement with the Walser and Bene first phase nucleation rule, which states that the first compound to nucleate in a planar binary reaction couple annealed at low temperature will be the most stable congruently melting compound adjacent to the lowest temperature eutectic on the phase diagram. 22 In the Au-Sn phase diagram, the only congruently melting phase is AuSn. In addition to AuSn, some AuSn 4 compound formation at the initial stage of interdiffusion has also been observed.…”

Prediction of Intermetallic Compound Formation Sequences in Pseudo Binary Diffusion Couples: Experimental Examinations for (Sn-<i>x</i>Zn)/Cu (<i>x</i> = 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mass%) by a Kinetic Model with Thermodynamic Data Using MDR Diagram

“…The second assumption is the Walser-Bené rule successful for silicide formation prediction 24) and is supported by the thermodynamic discussion by Bené 25) in which an interface composition is likely to be that of liquidus minimum. 21) This well coincides to the assumption that the supply rate of a metal with higher melting point is lower than that of a metal with lower melting point as shown in the previous paper, in which the first phases are predicted for Cu/Sn and Ni/Sn interfaces.…”